Dallas Personal Injury Law Blog

Could drowsy driving be as dangerous as drunk driving?

On behalf of Jerry D. Andrews, P.C. on Thursday, October 24, 2019.

If you are like other conscientious drivers across Texas, you would never consider getting behind the wheel of your vehicle after drinking enough to experience a buzz or drunk. You know that the effects of alcohol could impair your judgement and otherwise make you lose control of your faculties, and present a danger to yourself and others on the road.

Would you give the same consideration to safe driving if you were sleep-deprived? If you cannot honestly answer this question affirmatively, don't despair -- you aren't alone. Most people don't consider drowsy driving as dangerous as drunk driving. Sadly, many who have made that same assessment caused accidents involving serious or fatal injuries.

How can technology make our roads safer?

On behalf of Jerry D. Andrews, P.C. on Thursday, September 26, 2019.

You've probably noticed dangerous distracted drivers while on a Texas road. Perhaps you've looked over to see a driver texting while on the interstate, or maybe you saw a person eating a cheeseburger while behind the wheel. From putting on make-up to looking at Facebook, distracted driving is a serious safety concern. In fact, it remains one of the leading causes of car accidents across the country.

Most car accidents are the result of reckless or negligent actions. Human error, from distraction to driving too fast, needlessly places innocent people at risk of an accident every day. In response to this threat, automakers have started included certain safety features in many newer vehicles. It is possible that these technological advances could eventually lead to safer roads and fewer car accidents.

Points for consideration regarding truck accidents

On behalf of Jerry D. Andrews, P.C. on Tuesday, August 27, 2019.

Commercial trucks play an important role in our economy. They are large and heavy because they transport goods and products across the country, but they are also capable of inflicting serious damage in the event of an accident. Because they are so much bigger and heavier that other types of vehicles, they are capable of inflicting grave damage.

If you are the victim of a truck accident in Texas, you know first hand how destructive accidents involving semitrailers can be. You may also know how overwhelming the aftermath is, and how difficult it can be to pick up the pieces and move forward. As a truck accident victim, you may have grounds to pursue financial compensation through a civil claim filed against the liable party.

Texas collision: Things to avoid after an accident

On behalf of Jerry D. Andrews, P.C. on Friday, July 26, 2019.

Navigating a Texas roadway by motor vehicle can definitely be a stressful experience. Whether you're behind the wheel or riding as a passenger, if there's a distracted driver nearby or an intoxicated or reckless motorist, your immediate risk for injury skyrockets. It's not uncommon for people to go into shock after sudden collisions occur.

If you were to suffer life-threatening injuries in a motor vehicle accident, what happens directly thereafter would be largely out of your control. In fact, you might not even be conscious when rescuers transport you to the nearest trauma center. If you are coherent at the accident scene, there are several things to keep in mind regarding post-accident decisions.

What information goes into a police report after an accident?

On behalf of Jerry D. Andrews, P.C. on Thursday, June 27, 2019.

After a car accident, especially one that leaves you seriously injured, it can feel like a whirlwind. You may have questions you wanted to ask, information you wanted to gather or provide, and just want to know what happened in general. Though you may not have immediately been able to obtain this information due to going to the hospital, obtaining it as soon as possible may be in your best interests.

Typically, after a serious crash, police officers come to the scene. Their presence can be immensely useful for various reasons, among which is gathering information for a police report. A police report can contain facts about the accident that may prove useful to you if you choose to pursue a personal injury claim against the driver considered at fault for the incident, even if the report itself cannot be evidence.

The high price of driving too fast

On behalf of Jerry D. Andrews, P.C. on Thursday, May 30, 2019.

Most people, on at least one occasion, have gotten behind the wheel while in a hurry. When a person is running late, rushing to get somewhere or simply being inattentive, it can result in that person driving at dangerously high speeds. If you have ever done this yourself, you may be wondering what could be so bad about driving a little fast.

Speeding is a common type of reckless driving. Speed limits are there for a reason, and driving over these limits is not only against the law, it can increase the chance of an accident. Many people underestimate the significant danger associated with speeding. However, if you are a victim of an accident caused by a speeding Texas driver, you know firsthand how dangerous this type of behavior can be.

Fatal truck accidents major safety concern: what is to blame?

On behalf of Jerry D. Andrews, P.C. on Monday, April 29, 2019.

As a Texas driver, you are aware that large trucks are everywhere on the road. Semitrailers are a critical part of the economy, and they are responsible for transporting goods and products from one place to another. Due to their heavy weight and the sheer size of these vehicles, you also know they can cause significant damage when involved in an accident.

In order to make the roads safer and decrease the chance of an accident, there are both state and federal laws in place that determine how these vehicles operate. There are strict guidelines for the number of consecutive hours truckers can drive and how frequently they must rest. There is some question regarding the efficacy of these regulations and whether they actually make the roads safer for motorists.

Facing an injury with no workers' comp

On behalf of Jerry D. Andrews, P.C. on Tuesday, March 26, 2019.

Workplace injuries are a sad fact of life. Even in industries or positions that carry no inherent danger, you never know when an accident will occur or if conditions will place you at risk of a work-related illness. In most states in the U.S., business owners carry workers' compensation insurance to cover medical bills and other expenses related to workplace accidents.

Texas is a rare exception in that it is the only state that does not require its employers to offer workers' compensation coverage. When you accepted the position at your job, your employer should have informed you whether he or she carries workers' compensation insurance. If your employer is a non-subscriber, you may wonder about your options when you get hurt on the job.

Hands-free devices are not a distracted driving cure-all

On behalf of Jerry D. Andrews, P.C. on Friday, March 1, 2019.

Most newer vehicles have the ability to connect to people's phones so that they can use them hands-free while driving without having to take eyes off the road and hand's off the wheel. It is supposed to help reduce distracted driving accidents specifically related to cellphone use. The truth is, hands-free devices are not a distracted driving cure-all. In fact, this technology comes with its own issues that also cause distracted driving.

Hands-on cellphone use for texting and talking while driving or stopped in traffic is illegal in the state of Texas. However, several cities have hands-free device laws in place to allow that you to use this feature within city limits.

Eating behind the wheel: A common type of risky behavior

On behalf of Jerry D. Andrews, P.C. on Tuesday, January 29, 2019.

When a driver is doing anything other than keeping his or her eyes on the road, it is distracted driving. When you think about distracted driving, you may think about someone texting or reading an email, but those are not the only things that can take a driver's attention. One of the most common and most dangerous types of distracted driving in Texas does not involve using a phone at all.

Eating while driving may not seem dangerous. In fact, most people have probably gone through a drive-thru to grab coffee and a pastry before work or picked up a burger to eat on the way home. Eating on-the-go is part of the American culture, yet the convenience may not be worth the risk. Eating while driving is a type of distracted driving, and it is quite dangerous.